Thank God she was somewhat saved. Because the evil thoughts racing through Rachel’s mind right about now would definitely get her ticket to Heaven revoked.
This heifer thought she was slick. She almost pulled it off without Rachel even knowing about it, but then Rachel had heard two ladies in the elevator talking about it and inconspicuously followed them to the banquet room. How long has this thing been planned? Rachel thought as she peeked into the room. With a waitstaff, decorations, and everything, this had to be something Jasmine was plotting all along.
Rachel had stood by the door and listened for a little bit. She’d wanted to go in so badly, but she refused to give Jasmine the satisfaction. Plus, she didn’t want to be embarrassed or called out, so she just stood outside listening to the whole dog and pony show. The applause was sickening. But when Jasmine played the my-daughter-was-kidnapped card for sympathy, Rachel was appalled. Even Rachel wouldn’t sink that low.
Oh, and of course, there was that whole grandiose pledge. A million dollars? Yeah, Rachel’s research revealed that the Bushes had money, but she didn’t think they had it like that. Jasmine knew doggone well they didn’t have a million dollars to just give away.
Rachel ducked out of sight when she saw a woman approaching with Jacqueline. When they passed, she peeked her head through the door again and saw the group of women parting like Moses and the Red Sea as Jacqueline ran into her mother’s arms.
“Oh, good grief,” Rachel mumbled. “And cue child running in, three, two, one …”
Rachel had had enough. She made her way around to the front entrance, where the obviously planned reunion was taking place. She’d just made it to the hall when she came face-to-face with Jasmine.
“Well, hello, Rachel,” Jasmine said, a big grin across her face. “I was wondering why you weren’t at the reception.”
“I would have been there, had I known about it,” Rachel said, trying to contain the anger building in the pit of her stomach. She was about to go off until she realized there was a small crowd of women growing behind Jasmine. Instead, she was blessed with an inspiration.
“Honestly, I wouldn’t have been able to make it anyway. I was upstairs in a conference call with Regina West,” Rachel said sweetly.
“The Academy Award–winning actress Regina West?” someone behind Jasmine said.
Rachel’s smile widened. “The one and only.”
The chatter heightened. “Oh, my God. We’ve been trying to get her to do something with us for years,” someone said.
“I just love her.”
“She’s phenomenal but very elusive.”
“You know Regina West?”
“Yes.” Rachel nodded. She didn’t even know who had asked the question. “Regina used to be a member”—she looked Jasmine in the eyes—“of our little church. Of course, that’s before she went and took Hollywood by storm.”
“So you really know Regina West?” Jasmine asked skeptically.
Rachel could understand her skepticism. Regina West was only the hottest actress in Hollywood—black or white. Last year, she’d surpassed Angelina Jolie as the highest-paid actress. She’d been the only black woman ever to win two Academy Awards. “Yes, she’s a dear family friend. She and I actually were talking about this fantastic program I’d like to start on women empowerment, empowering women mentally, physically, and financially—that is of course, if I were to become first lady.”
Rachel wanted to jump for joy as the women left Jasmine’s side and hurried over to bombard her with more questions about Regina.
“Ms. King,” Rachel said, waving to Cecelia, who was standing off to the side, taking all of this in. “Regina would like to meet with you personally in the near future. She’s a fan and said she’d love to do some work with you.”
Cecelia looked pleasantly flattered. “Of course.”
“I’ll have her people get with your assistant to set something up after the conference.” Rachel didn’t want to remind them again that Lester had to win first, but she could tell by the looks on the women’s faces that it was a fact many of them duly noted.
“I must get going,” Rachel said, relishing Jasmine’s silent fury. Steal Jasmine’s shine. Checkmate. This couldn’t have worked out better had she planned it. “I need to make another call before the luncheon.”
“Another famous person?” someone asked.
“We’ll just have to wait and see.” Rachel winked as she waved and rounded the corner. She wanted to turn cartwheels down the hallway. But she couldn’t get too excited just yet. She ducked into the stairwell, whipped out her cell phone, and punched in a number.
“Hey, Daddy,” she said, when her father, Reverend Simon Jackson, answered.
“Hey, baby girl. How’s the conference going for you?”
“It’s great. You think you’re going to feel up to coming?” she asked. Her father had been battling prostate cancer. It was in remission, but his doctor had severely limited his activity.
“I am. Jonathan and David wanted to come with me so they could support you and Lester, but Jonathan has to work and David, well, we have a little crisis here with David.”
“Crisis? What kind of crisis?”
“Your brother’s crazy ex has been showing up around here, acting a fool, talking about wanting to see D.J.”
Rachel rolled her eyes. “When did Tawny get out jail?” There wasn’t a motherly bone in that crackhead’s body, so if she was coming around, she had to want something. Tawny had been the whole reason David had gotten hooked on drugs. Luckily, David eventually dropped her and tried to get his life together. Too bad he’d had a child with that nutcase. Everything worked out, though, because David got custody of D.J. after Tawny was arrested for trying to run down Rachel with her car.
Simon tsked. “I guess she just got out. I don’t know. I just know David is doing so well and we finally got some stability in my grandson’s life. I just don’t want her coming around messing things up.”
Rachel shuddered at the thought of Tawny causing any havoc in their lives. Jasmine would have some kind of field day with that. No, David and his drama needed to stay right there in Houston.
“Well, you tell David to stay there and handle that crazy girl, and you and Brenda can come on.”
“We will. We actually leave in the morning after my doctor’s appointment. We’ll be there in time for the election.”
“Okay, great,” Rachel said hurriedly, ready to shift the conversation back to the real reason she called. “Well, look, I need a favor before you come.”
“Anything, sweet pea.”
“Whew, glad you said that.” Rachel took a deep breath. “I need you to call Regina West.”
“Who?”
“Regina, you know the actress.”
“Call her for what? I haven’t talked to her since I baptized her.”
“Yeah, but you baptized her. That has to count for something.”
Simon let out a long sigh, like he knew Rachel had gotten caught up in another drama. “Rachel, Regina and her family moved away when the girl was five. What do I look like calling her after all this time?”
“But you still talk to her father.”
“Occasionally. They visit the church whenever they’re home, but it’s been almost a year since we spoke.”
“Well, now’s the perfect time. I mean, really, you’re the reason the girl is going to Heaven.”
“Rachel, that’s ridiculous.”
“No, it’s not. You introduced her to God, so she owes you.” Rachel exhaled in desperation. “Daddy, I really need you to do this for me.”
He was quiet; then, “Rachel, what have you gotten yourself into?”
Rachel could hear her father’s disapproval in his voice. She’d have to listen to him lecture later, but right now she needed him to act.
“Please, Daddy?” She hesitated. She hated to guilt him into anything, but she was desperate. “You know when I was growing up, you—”
“Okay, fine,” he said, cutting her off. He knew she was about to remind him how he hadn’t supported her or anything she wanted to do her entire life. He’d tried to get much better over the last few years and make up for all the time he neglected her for the church. “I’ll call Allen today and see if he can have Regina call me.”
“Thank you, Daddy. You’re the best! You guys have a safe trip. Can’t wait to see you so we can celebrate our win.”
“Fine, Rachel. We’ll see you tomorrow night. And can you just stay out of trouble?”
“Trouble? What’s that?” She laughed. “Love you, Daddy.”
“Love you, too, baby girl.”
Rachel hung up the phone and leaned back against the wall. Things looked shaky for a minute, but now everything was falling into place. If that wasn’t a sign that they were destined to win, she didn’t know what was.